Paul Thomas Welch

WELCH, Paul T. 80, of Bonita Springs, FL passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born March 3, 1927 in Ft. Dodge, Iowa and moved to Harveysburg, Ohio as a young boy. He attended Parker Co-op School and studied engineering at Ohio State University. He was a former builder and developer of office parks, custom homes, small communities and condominiums. With partners he developed Carriage South, Carriage Trace and Beechwood Springs. Paul also developed Penbrook and Dellwood Estates. Paul Welch Development Company purchased Governor James Cox’s Estate where they built custom homes and Governor Hills Carriage Apartments. On the land with his partners, the Mansion was converted into a private club called “Trails End Club”. Mr. Welch received a Life Time Achievement Award from the Home Builders Association of Ohio and had the respect of his fellow builders. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs. He loved boating, tennis and golf. Paul and his family and crew took a boat from California to Hawaii. After returning to California from Hawaii, they brought the boat to Palm Beach, FL thru the Panama Canal. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Mary L. Welch of Bonita Springs, FL; two sons, Michael Welch of Cincinnati, OH and Chris (Debbie) Welch of Dayton, OH; step-daughters, Patricia (David) Clements of Hayes, VA and Barbara (Bob) Pike of Centerville, OH; granddaughters, Stephanie Walker of Clermont, FL, Katie Welch of Atlanta, GA and Kristin and Kelly Welch of Dayton, OH; step-grandsons, Michael Karnes of Hampton, VA, Ryan Clements of Newport News, VA and Kevin Wooten of Columbus, OH; two sisters, Dorothy Linkous of Lebanon, OH and Wilma Warman of Morane, OH and many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to all his many dear and caring friends who supported him thru this long and difficult illness. And most of all to all the loyal and caring caregivers, Richard Van der Meer, Barb Whatley, Elma Lewis, Betty Miller and Bill Berry and the staff at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Routsong Funeral Home 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH. A reception for family and friends will be held at the funeral home after the services. Following the reception a private family burial service will be held in David’s Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions in his name be made to the Parkinson Association of S. W. Florida 6226 Trail Blvd., Naples, FL. 34108 or to Joanne House at Hope Hospice 27200 Imperial St., Bonita Springs, FL 34135. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429